Thoughts on this lift please

[Jeff]

After a day of working on cars my back and knees are barking pretty loud. So, I'm thinking of getting a lift for my garage. I don't wrench for a living, just a weekend warrior.

After reading all the threads I could on the subject I thought a 4 post lift would be the one I would get, then I ran across this...

Dannmar MaxJax 2 Post Portable Lift-DMJ-6 at The Home Depot

It can be moved out of the way.
Anyone have personal experience with this lift? Opinions welcome as well.

Thanks

[billybek]

I think Costco had them for a bit cheaper price than HD.

I looked one of these installed in a small garage. The man that owned it was having trouble getting the car back down as it wouldn't descend evenly. As I recall the factory help line was great getting him parts and assistance right away.

One of the factors (I did research these before buying a lift) was the pad thickness and bolting of the units to the floor is critical. Great for a low ceiling garage and for moving out of the way.

The reason I didn't get one was that I found a used Snap-on scissor lift on Kijiji.

YMMV.

[Scott Douglas]

The only experience I have with lifts, other than the kind you find in gas station garages (big single cylinder), is with this one that my brother has:

That two post you linked to looks scary to me, personally. Not having the posts tied together some way does not look all that safe. I would recommend you bolt it to the ground when using it.
The four poster my brother has works well, even though it isn't bolted down. He had plans on moving it, but it's pretty much stayed put where it was assembled. He's had a Suburban up on it so it is robust.

[MBAtarga]

Lots of discussion/threads on lifts over on Garage Journal forum...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I dig the car

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Nice ramps.

[porsche4life]

Jeff, you are welcome to come check out my snapon scissor lift if you'd like. Just to lay eyes on it and see how it works. I really like it, but it does restrict access some, however, it also stores under the car.

[MBAtarga]

I just realized- there is a Bendpak lift group purchase thread that was started just the other day on the garage journal site. You might want to consider one of their models for comparison.

BendPak 4 Post / 2 Post Lift Group Buy - The Garage Journal Board

[Touque]

I have the MaxJax and bought it from Garage Equipment Supply when it was on sale. I'm very happy with it. I had a hell of a time getting the compression anchors to stay in the holes though but I think I rounded the holes quite a bit with a dull bit. I eventually went to the glue-in epoxy anchors and they held with no issue.

It doesn't go 'that' high but it works great. I tend to keep both of the columns always in and park between them and only move one if i need extra space. It's not perfect but good for my garage that doesn't have an extremely high ceiling height.

[Jeff]

Scott it does bolt to the ground but I agree, I would love to see the 2 posts connected somehow.
How well does your 4 post hold up to the weather?

Ideally, a four post would be my first choice. It would allow me the option to stand while working under the car. The only draw back would be there would be room for another car in my garage

MBAtarga, thanks for the Garage Journal direction/ group buy thread.

Sid, would love to check out your set up. How high does your lift go? In what way does it restrict access?

Touque, Thanks for the first hand knowledge.

The ability to move the MaxJax out of the way is a huge bonus. It also looks as if I wouldn't have to rearrange the garage door configurations.

Four post, as mentioned before, would be ideal it would entail moving garage door tracks, etc.
The other option is to pour a slab and put it on the side yard.

I like the small foot print of the scissor jacks. Some of them are mobile but I would guess they are way too heavy to tilt up against a wall.

Any brands you would recommend / stay away from?

[porsche4life]

Jeff. My scissor weighs about 900lbs. It has wheels and the pump makes a dolly, so you can roll it around a bit, but no you aren't going to store it anywhere but on the ground.
Mine will go 4 ft up, but the car hits the ceiling before it gets that high.

Depending on ground clearance, you have to drive up on planks, or if you know it's permanent you can make a 6" deep pit and place the lift in there.

If I owned this house I would put it in a pit, but for now the ramps aren't bad. I need to find their permanent spot and bolt them down.

[Jeff]

Wow! That goes much higher than I suspected!

Love the bug!!!

You say the pump is used as a dolly so you could move it from bay to bay, correct?
I need to come check it out.

Does the flat lifting surface interfere with drive shafts on 4wd vehicles?

[porsche4life]

Yes it has wheels. It's tricky to move it but it could be done yes. If you ever get over to Gilbert let me know.

I got that lift on craigslist in OKC for like 1k...

[Bill Douglas]

I've recently bought one that looks like Sidney's and wish I'd bought one years ago. Safe, quick, easy....

[Scott Douglas]

Jeff, the lift shown is my brother's and has been outside for at least 5 yrs. It took me a while to convince him he really needed one. =;>)

Steve - It's got a 454 in it. =:>O